Laurier Blanc: Great Markets and Beyond

Exotic finds from around the globe

Suzanne Coppola is the founder of Houston gallery and online shopping destination Laurier Blanc. She travels four to five times a year, curating a collection of her favorite things, and documents it all on her blog.

What two words best describe you?

I’m compassionate and I’ve got wanderlust!

What was your path to becoming a designer?

My husband and I lived overseas in London when we were first married and there I developed a love affair for Europe’s great markets. Later, I decided to make a business out of traveling the world’s markets and uncovering great suppliers to offer an eclectic collection of home decor and accessories for our clients.

What is your favorite part of your day?

Early morning before my two young boys wake up…a time to clear my head and prepare mentally for the day (since I’m frequently being pulled in a variety of directions!).

Where and when are you most inspired?

The great souks and markets of the world…preferably off the beaten path and less known by tourists. The colors, the scents, the culture; it’s all deeply inspiring. I particularly love finding things made by the artisans themselves and finding those things that also make a difference.

How has your design philosophy changed since you began your practice?

I believe in curating personal pieces that speak to you and tell a story.

What has been your most challenging or creatively rewarding project to date? Why?

I assembled the team to evaluate and appraise a collection of 18th and 19th century European hunting trophies belonging to German and Austrian royalty and houses of nobility. It was truly the project of a lifetime and I managed to do this at the same time I was launching the Laurier Blanc brand.

How would you describe your style? How does it translate to your work?

As I’ve gotten older I’ve developed an appreciation for interiors with a calming palette. I gravitate to whites, creams and grays. That’s the backdrop I imagine when I’m curating. I like to see accessories make the statement.

What, in your opinion, makes a space feel homey?

Interior elements and accessories that tell a story

What is one element that can draw a room together when it feels like nothing goes together?